GuestFromTampa

I was wanting to check the transmission fluid level, but there is no sign of a dipstick tube in the engine compartment. I found the oil dipstick tube, but not one for the transmission.

I have removed the engine cover & air cleaner assembly, and there is only one tube near the firewall . It has a red cap on it, but no dipstick. Am I overlooking something?

Shifter

Nope.

rbrtclk

No, you can not check it. It is a sealed unit.

vvrjrlaw

That's not entirely true. True MB is making it harder and harder to do your own maintenance but you can purchase a dipstick and check it. You need to remove the cap. Oh and it seems that MB wants you to change fluid and filter every 30k or so at approx 500 a pop. Picked up fluid filter gasket and dipstick and just changed the CLS and ML.

CLSED550

There's is nothing to check ! It's a sealed unit , every 40,000 miles you just drop $400 @ dealer and that's it.
If its sealed I don't understand what there is to check. It's not a 87 Monte Carlo , where you have to check transmission fluid every week or two.
Transmission fluids for this are a lot more expensive than regular than regular units. This is a 7 speed unit, there is no room for error, go to dealer and have it serviced when required.
You have a 500 so its not the 7 speed but very similar. Well over 7 thousand for a rebuild.

MooF

You will receive a warning if there is anything to check.
I have to agree its simply not worth a DIY on this one, bite the dealer bullet on this every 40k because I've seen too many posts here about Indy mech mistakes on the transmission service (and I'm new to the forum).
After pricing out the filter and fluid online (8 litres of synthetic is over $120) and factor in shipping, plus paying an Indy an hours labour, the $330 my dealer in Canada wanted all of a sudden didn't seem too bad.

rbrtclk

Is there a part # for the dipstick? Where can it be purchased?

CLSED550

Have you read any of the post ?
What do you need a dip stick for ?
I wouldn't put a dipstick in my car if dealer wanted to do it for free.... Like I said before what are you going to check a sealed unit for? You cannot burn or use up transmission fluid. It either leaks all over your driveway or it don't . In that case you have to service the unit anyway. Save your money. Enjoy the car don't stress the transmission, just do required services @ every 40,000 miles

rbrtclk

I have been a car nut, since I was a kid. I always investigate things that I am curious about. My Benz poses a little more of a CHALLENGE. I love the mechanical make-up of all cars. To me if I own it, I like to know how it is put together and how it works.

vvrjrlaw

You can believe there is nothing to check and that's fine. I have a dipstick I purchased and I check it both hot and cold as the specs say to do. I paid 7.00 per quart for each of 6.8 quarts plus the 9.00 for a Wix filter and gasket. I have changed my own and its quite simple on both the car and the truck. That way I have nothing to worry about either.

95viper

I am surprised at all the talk with the temp gauge. Why doesn't everyone use the dipstick method?

vvrjrlaw

To answer your question the dipstick tube is behind the passenger side cylinder bank. And for the 60 dollars it cost me to perform the change it's cheap compared to the up to 10k it costs to overhaul the transmissions. No one has that much money that they can afford to waste it and failing to perform maintenance is wasting money.

CLSED550

I am a car guy also.. But what is there to check?its a sealed unit.. When it's full it's full.. You cannot check to see if the fluid is broken down? Just change at 35k to be on safe side. You plan on keeping your car for more than two trans fluid changes ?
If fluid prematurely breaks down (aggressive driving) the low pressures within the unit will send an error (fail safe)to the display and it will "transmission malfunction" . I just cannot seeing a dip stick useful, on something that has to be changed every 40k.
Don't mean to battle you about this, If you want a dipstick that's fine just to me it will never become useful. Just did 40k service last week, it cost me $405.
The even had updates for the unit, and I couldn't do that at home. FYI
Also, my car is under warrantee, so I don't need any problems with the unit. I like to keep records with mercedes in case there is a problem, they performed all service.

95viper

CLSED550, What I meant is when you are changing the fluid why not use a dipstick to check the level prior to changing and fill it up to the same level? It seems to be a heck of a lot more accurate than all this talk about temperature checking and waiting for it to slowly drip out to a certain diameter stream.

It's all about saving $200 and if a dipstick makes that easier than good. You are 100% right though...you would not get the updates that you got unless you paid the $400. Those aren't always applicable so to each his own.

gene.holland

My cls2009 is 4.5 years old, but, only has 24k miles. Should i wait for 40k miles to change trans oil and filter ? Warranty book says, 4 years or 40k miles.

MooF

My thought would be to wait for mileage. I've read messages around the mileage and no mention of the years - individual choice as long as you don't wait another 3-4 years if you tend to put on little mileage.

95viper

Since the fluid is so damn expensive, and people talk about software updates maybe being applicable, I would take it to the dealer if I were you when it hits 40k. This is coming from someone that feels strongly about doing all maintenance myself.

GuestFromTampa

whichever comes first !
the choice is yours but i am sure there is a reason MB limited it with 4 years...

vvrjrlaw

Check the Internet. The Shell ATF 135 is inexpensive compared to the dealer price and its one of several manufacturers who make the 135 for public consumption. Mobil also makes ATF 135 but it is sold by the 55 gallon drum to a specific manufacturer. Gee I wonder who buys trans fluid in that quantity? When I contacted Mobil I was told that they don't put it in quart containers for public consumption.

95viper

I wouldn't have a problem changing it myself, in fact I would rather do it, if I could save $200 or so. The only issue is that I wouldn't know if there were any computer transmission updates like others have said they get when the dealer does it.

I have an 07 CLS550 with 15k miles. The service records show no fluid change. I should assume(?) that I am missing some updates? I wonder how I could validate that? I had an inspection by the dealer when I bought it for $250 and nothing was mentioned in the paperwork.

Now assuming that I was going to change it myself I still think the dipstick would be a heck of a lot easier. I would install it and validate all measurements and refill to that level.

CLSED550

For real this thread is still going ??
Go to dealer , have the documentation for resale and warranty reasons...

Would you buy a car from joey who did maintenance in his garage or Mike that went to dealer and has all proper service receipts...
You cannot cut corners with hi tech (hi-dollar) csrs like these.

And for the record I am a hands on guy. Built / Driven cars that have been 190+MPH .

95viper

Don't overcomplicate it. This is draining and refilling fluid and tightening a few bolts to spec. Not much more difficult than changing oil if you had a dipstick.

The dealer isn't for everyone.

dfghhgfd

It is not a 'sealed' system! MB just didn't put in a dip stick as they wanted you to come in for maintenance. It's like other manufactures stating that you don't need a tune-up for 100k miles, no plugs or nothing. We all know that is bad advice as the plugs most likely will never come out of the head without causing damage after that much usage.
If this truly were a sealed system it would be like those GM Delco batteries that actually have no place to open and check the fluid! After all, MB sells the little clips to seal the fill tube!